[09/16/10 - 10:11 AM]TLC Gets in the Game with New Series Kick Off Cook OffErin Andrews hosts the series, due October 7, with "Top Chef" alum Brian Malarkey serving as "cheferee."

[via press release from TLC]

TLC GETS IN THE GAME WITH NEW SERIES KICK OFF COOK OFF

TLC heats up this fall with a new cooking competition that slams together America's two favorite pastimes - football and cooking. In each episode, two teams of football-loving foodies will compete against each other with their tried-and-true tailgate-style recipes in an effort to win bragging rights and a cash prize. What they don't know is that they are also competing against their favorite football players, who are in it to prove that they are as talented in the kitchen as they are on the field.

The teams compete in two halves - an appetizer and a main course - and then points are tallied and winner takes all. Erin Andrews, an ESPN Reporter and host of "College Gameday," who was also a finalist on "Dancing with the Stars" earlier this year, hosts KICK OFF COOK OFF. Judging the contestants is "cheferee" Brian Malarkey, former "Top Chef" finalist and Executive Chef and partner of the San Diego restaurant Searsucker.

The six-part series premieres October 7 and airs back to back over three weeks on Thursdays at 10 & 10:30 PM ET/PT. KICK OFF COOK OFF is produced for TLC by Asylum Entertainment; executive producers are Steve Michaels and Jonathan Koch.